[2022 National Audit] "Seoul City, 100m Apartment in Front of Jongmyo Recreates Jangneung Landslide"

Oh Se-hoon "Will proceed after consulting with the Cultural Heritage Administration"

Apartment construction site in Sewoon District 3 visible from Jongmyo.
[Photo by Office of Assemblyman Kim Du-kwan]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Young-won] As Seoul City plans to construct apartments over 100m tall in Sewoon District 3, concerns have been raised that the view of Jongmyo, a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site, could be damaged.

According to internal Seoul City documents obtained on the 14th by Kim Doo-kwan, a member of the National Assembly Land, Infrastructure and Transport Committee from the Democratic Party, the city is considering building apartments 110?120m tall along Toegye-ro and 140?180m tall along Euljiro as part of the Sewoon District redevelopment plan.

The apartments currently under construction in Sewoon District 3 have already reached a height of 90m. Although the Cultural Heritage Administration reportedly recommended a height limit of 72m for Sewoon District 3, this was only a recommendation without legal enforcement. Therefore, Seoul City raised the apartment height to 90m at its discretion, and it appears that specific height plans have not yet been submitted to the Cultural Heritage Administration.

At the Seoul City audit on the same day, Assemblyman Kim stated, "According to the documents, Sewoon District 4, managed by Seoul Housing and Communities Corporation (SH), will comply with the Cultural Heritage Administration’s approved height of 71.8m, but most other districts are considering developments over 100m." He added, "Even if SH complies with the standards, if other private developers engage in uncontrolled development, it would be very concerning," expressing worries that "the 'Jangneung incident' might be repeated."

The Jangneung incident refers to a legal dispute that arose when apartments were built near Jangneung in Gimpo, a World Cultural Heritage site, without approval from cultural heritage authorities.

Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon responded, "Please understand that the buildings get taller as they get farther from Jongmyo." He added, "This is not tailored to the interests of any particular company, but rather a result of considering how to secure more public contributions and green space," and said, "We will proceed in consultation with the Cultural Heritage Administration."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.